Welcome friends to issue #23
Weddings abound in my family and circle of friends both last year and this year. Grand eloquent weddings, cozy family weddings, second weddings, fire hall weddings, and one on the beach in bare feet! Since wedding jewelry & gift ideas have been on my mind I invited our designers to follow a wedding theme for this issue. Many of the designs could also be used for a variety of special occasions.
Barb Nichols has shared an embroidered peyote cuff that offers many design opportunities. Both the Ladders of Love trio and the Fire Polished with Pearls Bracelet from Marilyn Peters would look stunning on the bride, and match the colors to the dresses for bridesmaids, or even for prom night! Sandra D. Halpenny has worked her seed bead magic to create beaded Wedding Lace that could be stitched for any member of the wedding party from the flower girl to Grandmother! Customize the Tea Light Covers from Sharon Boehme for weddings, Memorial Day, 4th of July, & Christmas just by changing the colors.
Two bridal specific peyote projects offer bonus date charts so you can personalize the panels; use for wedding accessories, decorations, & gifts.
Here's to the happy couples!
Deb Moffett-Hall - Editor

Bridal Pearls Necklace
by Barb Nichols

Link Single Needle RAW pearl daisy motifs together to create a stunning necklace for a very special occasion.

Materials:

10 grams size 8 Miyuki seeds (White Pearl Ceylon #0528) [A]

10 grams size 11 Miyuki seeds (White Pearl Ceylon #0528) [B]

16 pearls, 8mm [C]

40 pearls, 4mm [D]

1 pearl 10mm drop bead

Beading thread (size A)

2 split rings

Clasp: lobster claw and extension chain

Beading needle

Scissors

Flat nose pliers

Individual Pattern is not available

Here Comes the Bride
by Deb Moffett-Hall

Change the hair and skin tones to resemble the bride. Choose flower and trim colors to match the actual wedding party. Add the date to truly make it special.

Uses: Trim; the ring pillow, cake knife, guest pen, garter, gift card bag. Add silk ribbon for a book mark for Bible or guest book. Add wire to top and a crystal dangle for a keepsake ornament.

Hints for choosing bead colors: (none provided)
When stitching images it is best to select matte, opaque or Ceylon colors. Use matte or opaque for skin tones. Limit silver-lined and shiny metallic to trim and accent details.

Two-Needle Cross-Weave R.A.W Ladder: Shown in creamy white pearls, clear & frosted crystal, this versatile set is perfect for the Bride on her special day. Picture it in fun, vibrant color dyed pearls and jewel-tone fire polished crystals to match the bridesmaids.

Materials:Basic supplies are listed below (detailed list is included with the project).

Silamide thread in matching color (Nymo tends to stretch)Hint: If using light colors for the bells or ribbon, make sure thread will not show through these beads if you are matching the thread to a darker background color

Tea Light Candle

Tea light tin, these vary in size: the aluminum tins are slightly smaller, use the clear "tins" for best fit

Net Stitch Fire Polished crystals into a sparkling bracelet base and then add seed bead & pearl accents across the face of the beaded panel.

Materials for a 7" bracelet:

150 clear AB size 11 seed beads

150 bronze lined clear size 15 seed beads

192 Fire polished crystals clear AB, 4mm

47 glass pearls, 3mm

16mm toggle clasp

Fireline size 6 or 8 lb

Individual Pattern is not available

Tab Bead Macrame Bracelet
by Dottie Hoeschen

Outdoor celebration? Use those interesting 2-hole beads you couldn't resist to quickly knot a unique bracelet.

Materials:

Approx. 7 "tab" beads, number will vary according to size of bead, with two holes which must accommodate two cords in each hole.

Size 6 seed beads

Macrame cord (S-Lon, C-Lon, Irish Waxed Linen)

Scissors

Macrame board and quilting pins

Individual Pattern is not available

What's New

Custom Cool Jewelry
by Melinda Barta

I thoroughly enjoyed this book of 200 different pendants, charms, and clasps to create.

The clasp section was especially exciting. Melinda covered how to make your own clasps with beads, or beads and wire. She also shares many examples of how to use beads and wire to customize and adorn existing clasps so run-of-the-mill becomes unique and beautiful.

WOW! This stuff works great!
I tried it on a tarnished brass chain link bracelet and in seconds it was bright as new - no rubbing I simply rinsed with water. Use on gold, silver, copper, precious stones (not for pearls or opals).